Dreher Island State Recreation Area
Encyclopedia
Dreher Island State Recreation Area is in central South Carolina
roughly 30 miles from the state's capital of Columbia
. It occupies all of the largest island in 50000 acres (202 km²) Lake Murray
, a reservoir of the Saluda River
.
The park offers boating
, hiking
, camping
, fishing
for largemouth bass
and other fish, picnic areas and spaces for large group meetings. The park also contains several lodging options, including villas and cabins
It was first leased from SCE&G (now SCANA
) in 1970, who built the Dreher Shoals Dam, creating Lake Murray. Today it is a largely heavily-wooded island with the only access being a bridge on its Northern side.
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
roughly 30 miles from the state's capital of Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
. It occupies all of the largest island in 50000 acres (202 km²) Lake Murray
Lake Murray
Lake Murray may refer to:*Lake Murray , the largest lake in Papua New Guinea*Lake Murray , for a time the largest artificial lake in the world*Lake Murray , a lake and the oldest State Park in Oklahoma...
, a reservoir of the Saluda River
Saluda River
The Saluda River is a principal tributary of the Congaree River, about 200 mi long, in northern and western South Carolina in the United States...
.
The park offers boating
Boating
Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...
, hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
for largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
The largemouth bass is a species of black bass in the sunfish family native to North America . It is also known as widemouth bass, bigmouth, black bass, bucketmouth, Potter's fish, Florida bass, Florida largemouth, green bass, green trout, linesides, Oswego bass, southern largemouth...
and other fish, picnic areas and spaces for large group meetings. The park also contains several lodging options, including villas and cabins
It was first leased from SCE&G (now SCANA
SCANA
SCANA Corporation is a $9 billion Fortune 500 energy-based holding company, based in Cayce, South Carolina, whose businesses include regulated electric and natural gas utility operations and other energy-related businesses...
) in 1970, who built the Dreher Shoals Dam, creating Lake Murray. Today it is a largely heavily-wooded island with the only access being a bridge on its Northern side.